Florida Data Center Debate
Byron Donalds faces growing opposition over data centers in Florida governor's race as rivals push moratoriums
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Byron Donalds, the Republican frontrunner in Florida's 2026 governor's race, is under fire over data centers — and the heat is coming from his own party. His rivals are taking harder lines against the facilities, sensing that voter anger over data centers could be a winning issue, according to The Ledger.
National polls show a majority of Americans oppose building data centers in their communities. That sentiment is now reshaping the Florida race, forcing Donalds to walk a careful line between his AI industry donors and an increasingly skeptical electorate, Herald Tribune reports.
Donalds Shifts Tone as Rivals Pile On
Donalds has begun adjusting his message. He now says he wants to prioritize environmental and consumer protections over unchecked data center growth. In new campaign ads, he draws a sharp line: "If you don't protect our pocketbooks and our people, you won't build data centers," according to TC Palm.
At the same time, Donalds still argues that AI-driven innovation "expands the pie" for the broader economy. That dual message — pro-consumer but not anti-tech — reflects the tension he faces. He continues to receive significant financial backing from the AI industry, Jacksonville reports.
Florida Republicans Call for a Full Moratorium
Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner has gone further than Donalds. Renner is calling for a complete moratorium — a full stop — on new data center construction in Florida. That puts him to Donalds' right on the issue and gives primary voters a stark choice, according to St. Augustine Record.
The moratorium push signals how fast the political ground is shifting. What was once seen as a jobs-and-growth issue is now being framed as a threat to communities — drawing on concerns about energy use, water consumption, and local land use, News-Journal Online reports.
Democrat David Jolly Joins the Anti-Data Center Push
The issue is not staying inside the Republican primary. David Jolly, the likely Democratic nominee in November's general election, is also calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers. That means Donalds could face attacks from both sides of the aisle on this issue, Gainesville Sun reports.
Jolly's stance shows that data center opposition cuts across party lines. Both parties see an opening to appeal to communities worried about the facilities being built near their homes, schools, and water supplies.
AI Money vs. Voter Anger — A Tough Balancing Act
Donalds faces a classic political squeeze. His AI industry donors want a candidate who will keep Florida open for business. But the voters he needs — especially in communities near proposed data center sites — want protection, according to Herald Tribune.
With a majority of Americans now opposing data centers in their neighborhoods, the issue has moved from niche concern to mainstream politics. How Donalds handles that gap between donor money and voter sentiment may define his path to the governor's mansion, The Ledger reports.
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